• Source:JND
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Haveri Gang Rape Case: In a shocking development that has sparked massive outrage across Karnataka, the seven prime accused in the Haveri (Hanagal) gang rape case, who were granted bail on Tuesday, were seen celebrating their release from Haveri sub-jail with a "victory" procession featuring cars, bikes and sloganeering in the Akki Alur town of Haveri district in Karnataka.

In a viral video gaining momentum on social media platforms, the accused can be seen standing through the sunroof of a car, waving to the person recording the video. Several accompanying bikes and cars can also be seen in the video, with the supporters of the accused shouting slogans.

What Is The Hanagal Gang Rape Case?

In January 2024, around 19 men barged into a room of a private hotel, where an interfaith couple had checked in. The accused assaulted the couple and dragged the 26-year-old survivor, belonging to the minority commuity, to a nearby jungle where she was allegedly gang raped. The case began as an instance of moral policing, given the fact that the survivor and her partner were an inter-faith couple, and no gang rape charges were added in the FIR.

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However, when the survivor gave formal statement to the magistrate under CRPC section 164, alleging that she was dragged to an isolated location near Nalkuru Cross in Hanagal and was gang raped by the accused, the police added gang rape charges. Following the FIR, 19 individuals were arrested, including the seven prime accused.

While 12 of them were booked for facilitating the crime or physically assaulting the survivor, seven were named as prime accused. However, 12 accused were released on bail nearly ten months ago, while the remaining seven, considered the primary suspects, faced repeated bail denials until the recent court order.

Why Haveri Gang Rape Accused Were Granted Bail?

The Haveri Additional District and Sessions Court on Tuesday granted bail to the seven prime accused i the Haveri (Hanagal) gang rape case. The accused granted bail have been identified as Aftab Chandanakatti, Madar Saab Mandakki, Samiwulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoib Mulla, Tausip Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri.

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The accused, who had their bail pleas rejected several times, were granted bail after the 26-year-old survivor reportedly failed to identify them in court, weakening the case. According to a report by Times of India, public prosecutor Vijaykumar Patil has confirmed that the survivor has failed to affirm the identities of the accused in the court and her reluctance to maintain her previous statements led to the court granting bail to all seven primary suspects.

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